Strength From God

This week I’m going to do things a little different. We are going to start at the end of this passage and work back up.

Trials

Why are we surprised when we have difficulties?

Jesus has promised us that we will have difficult times in our lives.

When we have trials, sometimes we act as if it is something that in unexpected.

We have people argue, or ridicule us for our faith, and we act like this is an abnormality or something strange.

We are told we are hateful or bigots. Rather than still preaching the gospel unabashed, some Christians try to change it, to make it more pleasing.

Why? Jesus never did.

The Sending

v.35

Jesus brings up when he sent out the disciples.

They didn’t take anything with them. They had it easy.

Everything that they needed, God provided for them.

Some people were resistant, but most were receptive to what the disciples would be saying.

Things Are Changing

v.36-37

Before it was easy, now it will not be.

The sword is a symbol of violence and opposition.

I don’t think Jesus is saying, be ready to cut your enemies to pieces.

I don’t think that’s what Jesus meant.

Luke 22:49-51

Jesus tells them to sheath their swords. No more of the fighting.

Acts 7:58-60

Stephen and the other apostles don’t rise up with their swords and fight against the people.

All of the apostles were martyred:

James the son of Zebedee, was killed with the sword by Herod.

James the son of Alphaeus, thrown from the pinnacle of the temple then bashed in the head.

Simon the zealot was crucified then sawn in half.

Thomas was run through with a spear.

All of these men died preaching the gospel, not taking up arms against those who opposed it.

By their testimonies is why I don’t believe that Jesus is saying battle against those who oppose you.

There are times that the bible does call for self defense or defense of others.

Psalm 82:4

Psalm 82:4 ESV

4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

The weak and needy.

Those who are being oppressed that cannot defend themselves.

Proverbs 24:11-12

Proverbs 24:11–12 ESV

11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

Those who are being led away.

They don’t have the strength to help or save themselves.

We are called to step up and help.

Proverbs 31:8-9

Proverbs 31:8–9 ESV

8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Those who don’t have a voice, speak up for them.

There is a time to stand up for justice.

But I don’t think that this is what Jesus is saying in this passage.

Some think that when Jesus says to take up swords, it’s the same as taking guns, and this is what Jesus is saying.

But based off of the reaction of Jesus in the garden, the example of those who were with Jesus when He said these words, and also Jesus’ own words in v.38.

It is enough, not they are enough.

As if to say, enough of this talk.

Something we must keep in mind, is who the enemy is.

All the while remember who the enemy is.

Because those who oppose us aren’t our enemies! They are people who are deceived, lost, and need to know about the love of Jesus.

Satan

v.31

We do have an enemy.

He is real, he is a fallen angel.

Peter later writes

1 Peter 5:8

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

That he roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour.

When people oppose us, they are deceived by the prince of darkness. They need to see the light!

They may be doing the work of the enemy…but they are not the enemy.

They need Jesus!

Demanded

v.31

When scripture says that Satan demanded, we need to remember that Satan doesn’t have manners, and Satan is making a request to God.

Satan may be a roaring lion, but he’s on a chain.

The only way that he can attack is if he is allowed. He doesn’t have the authority to go around attacking whoever he desires.

In Job we saw the same thing, God needs to grant Satan permission to attack Job.

When we come across hard, difficult times, remember; that God has allowed it to happen.

God gives us, promises when it comes to temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13

He will not give us more than we can handle.

Romans 8:28-29

God will use the trials we suffer, to work together for our good.

And He will use them to conform us more to His image.

God Is On Our Side

v.32

Jesus says that He has prayed.

Jesus is interceding on Peter’s behalf.

John 17:11

Jesus prays that we may be kept in His name.

John 17:15

Jesus prays that we would be kept from the evil one.

When we are going through trials, the one who allowed them to happen is giving us strength to get through them.

When

v. 32

The word that Jesus uses, leaves no room for doubt.

Jesus is saying that you will not fall away becasue of this trial.

The future is as clear as the present.

Peter will come back.

What a blessing it is to know that we are held by the hand of God.

You are going to fail, but not for destruction, but for edification.

Jesus tells Peter to be strong, for He will be sifted.

This is similar to when God gives warning to persevere:

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight.

1 Corinthians 10:12

We are told to take heed lest we fall.

Revelation 3:5-6

If we conquer, if we persevere. Our names won’t be blotted out of the book of life.

What we see in this passage, is God is confident that Peter will endure, just as He is confident that we will:

Philippians 1:6

He who began a good work in us, He will be faithful to complete it.

1 John 5:4

Everyone who has been born of God, overcomes the world.

1 John 5:13

That we might know, have assurance that we have eternal life.

Jude 24

It is God who is able to keep us from stumbling.

Looking at these verses, it is clear that Jesus says WHEN, because it was His strength that would keep Peter from completely falling.

In Christ:

We assurance of trials.

We have assurance of salvation through trials.